Adopt a child

What is Adoption?

Adoption is a way of providing new families for children who cannot be brought up by their birth parents. Adoption is a legal process, which involves a court transferring all rights and responsibilities of the birth parents to adoptive parents.

Most children being placed for adoption have spent some time living with foster carers because of problems in their own family. Adoption will only be considered once it is clear that attempts to support a child in their own family are not going to succeed.

Why adopt with Glasgow?

As the largest authority in Scotland we have the highest number of children who require adoptive families. We believe that adoption is one of the best outcomes for children who cannot be cared for by their own birth families.

Who can adopt?

We need more adoptive parents from a variety of backgrounds who can make a lifelong commitment to Glasgow's children. Prospective adoptive parents must have the ability to offer a stable, loving home to a child/ren who, for whatever reason, are unable to remain with their own family.

What is the criteria for adoption?

We welcome applications from single people, gay, lesbian or couples, married or in a stable relationship.  Guidance is that partners must have been living together for at least two years.

Applicants must be at least 21 years of age to apply.

We are unable to accept applications if you are undergoing infertility treatment or on a waiting list for treatment. You will be asked to have a full medical, where issues such as weight, smoking, mental health will be considered. If you smoke you may be asked to delay your application until you are able to show that you have stopped smoking.

We welcome enquiries from families who have children of their own.

How do I become an adoptive parent?

Glasgow City HSCP adoption service is currently experiencing a high volume of both domestic adoption and Intercountry adoption enquiries. As a result we are not able to support prospective adopters from the point of enquiry, preparation, assessment to the point of approval within our usual timescales.  Whilst we still welcome your enquiry to adopt with Glasgow City HSCP we do ask that you speak to a member of our recruitment team on 0345 276 5555 so we can share with you what this high volume of enquiries may mean in relation to your enquiry to adopt, what our current timescales are and other options you may wish to consider.

If you think you might have what it takes, please call and speak to our friendly adoption team.

Phone 0345 276 5555 between 8.45am to 4.45pm Monday to Thursday and 8.45am to 3.55pm Friday, or email us.

You can also download our Adoption Pack which will provide more information.

Adopting a Step Child

When a new step family is formed, adults often give a great deal of thought about how to strengthen the ties and give the children as much security as possible - we have produced a leaflet that gives more  information on adopting a step child [321kb].